Page 30 of No Honor Amongst Shifters
Roslin was glad that Elijah had decided that Alcott wouldn’t be a prisoner anymore.He’d been helping them as much as any of their other allies, if not more.He’d put his safety in jeopardy when he’d gone out to talk to the cockatrices.He’d been ready to accept any punishment Elijah would give him.He hadn’t protestedoncewhen he’d been locked up.
People might not have forgiven him, but for Roslin, that had never been a problem.He wanted to spend more time with Alcott, and Alcott being free made that easier.
Alcott looked hesitant, so Roslin waved him over.He was tempted to pull Alcott down on the couch next to him, but he could feel his brothers and their partners watching him.His mother was in the corner sitting in an armchair, and Roslin was sure that if he looked up, he’d find her staring at them.
He didn’t look up.
“I didn’t expect to see you here,” Roslin said when Alcott moved closer.
“I was going back to my room, but I wanted to talk to you.”
He glanced around the room, and suddenly, everyone seemed to have something else to focus on.Roslin snorted when he saw Donahue grab the closest book and randomly open it.He couldn’t remember the last time he’d seen Donahue read anything, let alone a book.
“We can go somewhere else to have more privacy,” Roslin offered as he got up.
Alcott cleared his throat.“Here is fine.I just wanted to tell you that Elijah agreed to let me fight for the clan.I won’t be staying back at the house.”
Roslin wasn’t surprised.He’d known Alcott still felt the need to redeem himself, and what better way to do it than by fighting for the clan?But it wasn’t only because Alcott still felt guilty.He wanted to protect his family, and Roslin could understand that.
He nodded.“I see.”
“I know you don’t like it.”
“I don’t, but I won’t try to stop you.I don’t like that my brothers will be fighting, too.If I could, I’d grab all the people I love and hide them somewhere, but unfortunately, I can’t do that.”
Alcott blinked.“All the people you love?”
Roslin wasnotgoing to tell Alcott he loved him for the first time in front of his entire family, dammit.He didn’t have to say the words for Alcott to understand, though.“All of them,” he confirmed.He gently touched Alcott’s arm.“I know you haven’t officially met my family, so let me introduce you.”
Alcott’s eyes widened, and for a moment, Roslin thought he was going to run.Luckily, Donahue was there, dropping his book like a hot potato and stepping between Alcott and Roslin.“Hi, I’m Donahue, Roslin’s better-looking brother.”
Roslin pushed him aside and glared at him.“Don’t be a dick.You’ll scare him off.”
“I think that if he wasn’t scared off by you and your attitude, he’s not going anywhere.”
“Boys,” their mother said.
Roslin wasn’t surprised to see she was coming toward them.She’d been chomping at the bit to get to know Alcott, but Roslin had managed to hold her off with the excuse that Alcott was technically still a prisoner.He wasn’t anymore, so he was fair game.
“I’m Evangeline,” she told Alcott when she reached him.“Roslin’s mother.My husband Michael isn’t here at the moment, but I’ll introduce you to him soon.”She caught one of Alcott’s hands and squeezed it between both of hers.“It’s such a pleasure to meet you.”
Alcott’s eyes were wide as he glanced at Roslin.It was clear he didn’t know what to do or say.He’d have to learn because Roslin’s family was important to him.Besides, they were Alcott’s family now, too.
That was probably why he was freaking out.
“I can already tell he’s going to be Mom’s favorite,” Donahue grumbled.“It’s not fair.”
“What’s not fair is that we have to listen to you whining,” Roslin teased.
Their mother threw her hands in the air.“I can’t with you boys.Why don’t you get along?”
“You mean like when we were children?”Donahue asked.
“You used to beat the shit out of each other.How is that getting along?”
Donahue gasped.“You just saidshit.Where’s the soap?We need to wash your mouth.”
Roslin wrapped an arm around Alcott’s shoulders and pulled him close.They watched Donahue and their mother bicker, and even though the fight was just around the corner, he’d never felt more at peace.Right now, his family was safe—all of the people he loved were safe.There was no way to know if they’d still have this once the fight was over, which meant they needed to savor the moment.
